There are many risks posed by dangerous goods, but majority of these goods are carried safely in accordance with the regulations. Mandatory regulations promulgated by IMO is to reduce risks during carriage of dangerous goods whether in solid, liquid, gaseous form, packaged form and protection of environment.
Below is a news of, 100 years ago, 1919:
COPRA FIRE ON EX-GERMAN LINER
Source: https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DOM19191202.2.47
(rec. December 1, 7.15 p.m.) London, November 27. The New Zealand Shipping Company’s steamer Swakopmund, another ex-German liner, is on fire at the docks, and her destruction is feared. —”The Times, (rec. December 1, 10.25 p.m.) London, November 27. The fire on board the Swakopmund is in the copra, which is burning furiously. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable. Assn.
Last two years had been awfully bad for container ships with numerous fires most suspected to be due to misdeclared or undeclared dangerous goods as the smoking guns.
If we remember, a decade ago bulk carriers were in the news due to many tragic incidents from liquefaction of cargo resulting in total loss of lives on board ships.
Lessons learnt from the accidents and risk analysis helps the industry to have more effective regulations to avoid future accidents.
On August 27th 2020, bulk carrier ZHONG CHANG HE SHENG sent distress signal reporting danger of capsizing due to liquefaction of nickel ore cargo. She was in East China sea sailing from Philippines to Lianyungang, China. Chinese search and rescue vessels has approached ZHONG CHANG HE SHENG and she is now believed to be stable and sailing in reduced speed.
It is important to be aware that codes such as the IMDG Code and IMSBC Code may not be completely comprehensive.
Gard News 197, February/April 2010
Apart from discussions at IMO’s Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC), the accidents contributed by misdeclared/undeclared dangerous goods is widely debated in the industry by P&I clubs, vessel owners, cargo interests, terminals & others. Two of the very recent ones are the white paper released by National Cargo Bureau & TT Talk – Dangerous goods debate – count us in.
In our recent survey on misdeclaration of dangerous goods industry experts gave various suggestions to stop misdeclared or undeclared dangerous goods coming on board ships.
I would like to bring readers’ attention to a decade old article by GARD asking pertinent questions to carriers before accepting to load dangerous goods
- Who is shipping?
- What can you refuse to carry?
- What are you asked to carry?
- What are the dangers/hazards posed by the cargo?
- What does the ship/crew need to safely carry dangerous cargo?
- What should the shippers provide?
- What does your contract say?
- What is your insurance cover?
- Where/when is the carriage to/from?
- How to manage the peculiar risks?
- Why should you take the risk?
Read the GARD article Carriage of dangerous cargo – Questions to ask before you say yes here
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